Search results (tags) for: "photography"

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: August 14, 2008

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:30:00 -0000

After a wonderful birthday with a carrot cake straight out of my mind's eye, I've been on a bit of a shopping binge. Next stop: taxidermied bat!

Here's what's shaking around the blogosphere this week.

Delphine Chanet's photos provide a glimpse into the most whimsical childhood I could imagine. [Via Black Eiffel]

This look by Prada makes me oh-so-excited for fall. Lace! [Via For Me, For You]

Looking to give some tired knickknacks new life? This tutorial shows you how to make a diy mini shadow box. [Via Design*Sponge]

Stylist Tonya Goodwin can certainly make a room look amazing. Now all I want to do is collect beach detritus. [Via Aesthetic Outburst]

Looking for hair inspiration? Look to these beauties of the past. [Via Gatochy]

And finally, take pleasure in nature's small wonders. [Via Camilla Engman]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Etsy Finds: Fine Art Picks

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:06:00 -0000

With almost 250,000 art items currently listed on Etsy, it can sometimes be a little overwhelming when searching for that perfect piece. Today's Etsy Finds from Jamieribisi will introduce you to some red hot artwork—and hopefully some new favorites for your home. Remember, bare walls are sad walls!

Sunny beach - original ACEO painting by Tina-M

Tina Mammoser of thecyclingartist and timelady can create great atmosphere and depth in ACEO size—she's just perfectly talented. ACEOs are a great way to collect art on a budget—but don't forget to check out her large paintings if your pockets are deeper! $14.

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Conformity ORIGINAL PAINTING

Michelle Daisley Moffitt knows how to fill a canvas, and this particular piece is no exception. This sculptural painting has many elements to keep your eye interested. At MDaisleyMoffitt, $445.

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02-10-07-12

Oh, to have about a dozen of these stacked on my wall! Rebecca Tolk mounts her ethereal nature photographs on barn wood frames—and you thought Holga photographs couldn't get any better! At rebeccatolk, $20.

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Squishy Man

"Squishy Man"—the title alone makes me love it, but what really gets me are the colors: so bold! Check out the rest of her portraits. By CheapThrillz, $2,000.

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Monotype, title Mambo 4 x 4, abstract

Monotypes hold a special place in my heart; they are really original paintings in disguise. This one from Martha Marshall has so many layers that I could just stare at it for hours. At colorpoetry, $40.

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False Idols Trip Ticket

I came upon this painting by chance, and I'm so happy to have found it. The twist on traditional religious paintings is so smart, and the fact that stablercake used her grandma's hymnal records as the halos might just make her a mad genius. Plus, she guarantees "at least a little badassery in every image," so you really can't go wrong. $1,500.

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Number 28 Mini Desert Ironwood, Artist Collection 1977

If you didn't know it before, you know it now: I love functional art! Leimana Pelton is conscious of the environment when creating these boxes, which makes me even more fond of them. At villagearts, $75.

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Pinocchio

These small portrait paintings by Paulina Archambault give me shivers of nostalgia. All of her paintings grab you and give you a great big hug! At artatelier, $25.

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Pink Field 2, Glimpse, Landscape Impression, Original Painting

It was extremely hard to pick just one piece of Harry Stooshinoff's for this article: I love and want them all! I own a few of his paintings and admire his brushwork and the immediacy of his paintings every chance I get. At Paintbox, $30.

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Looking for more fine art Finds? Try these Etsy links:

Art Category |Art Showcase | Art Collectors Gift Guide

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News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: August 7, 2008

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:30:00 -0000

After a sun-filled vacation to Las Vegas, I'm back in Brooklyn and searching out trends for fall. Look for mucho fashion content in the near future! If you notice any trends, please send them my way.

This edition of News from the Craft + Style Blogosphere has Scottish ski lodges, fashion forward internet mags, royal mosaics and more. Read on!

Street style blogs' can sometimes seem so homogenous—at least when it comes to the stylish women who make repeat appearances across the blogosphere. Refinery29 recently profiled these "cyber It chicks of tomorrow," including the white-browed Emma Andersson of London, seen above.

I'm looking forward to spending some quality cabin time (QCT!) this summer. (Hopefully this winter as well.) This Scottish ski lodge, decorated by amazing interiors guru Suzy Hoodless, makes me ache for snuggly blankets and hot toddies in front of a roaring fire. [Via A Cup of Jo]

This majestic portrait of Russian Empress Yelizaveta Petrovna is from The Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. However, upon closer inspection, you'll see that it's actually a super intricate mosaic. The sad thing is that the artist is unknown. So awe-inspiring. [Via Krisatomic]

wonting's blog is totally addictive. This week she posted photos of Geninne's gorgeous space, which totally matches her modern aesthetic. [Via wonting]

When fashionistas need a quick fix, they go to the internet—not a magazine—as reported in today's New York Times Style section. For me, it's all too true. Blogger Design for Mankind has just started an internet magazine called Mankind Mag, and it's pretty slick! Check out the second issue, which is totally devoted to hair.

Flickr photographers continually blow my mind. This doozy comes courtesy of Julia Galdo of miamizeiss. [Via For Me, For You]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: July 24, 2008

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:40:00 -0000

As much as the dog days of summer make me ache for the tights, sweaters and scarves of autumn, I'm trying to remain in the present and value my lazy, Beach Boys saturated Saturdays at the shore while they're still possible. (Even if it does mean being a hot mess for four solid months.)

With that said, here's what's kickin' around the blogosphere this week. Endless summer ahead!

So, in addition to making really cool stuff, somethingshidinghere basically has the most adorable, stylish, huge, bright, amazing loft on Earth, and I covet it like nobody's business. Check it out for yourself on Design*Sponge. (Spoiler alert: there is a porch swing, so you'll probably be crying tears of envy in the very near future, as well as planning a complete revamp of your own space. Don't say I didn't warn you.)

Kotama Bouabane's melting words series is a heartbreaking testament to being true to your emotions, even if the method is completely ephemeral (and happens to be made of ice). [Via heartthrobs & villains]

Tabbouleh is so summer. Doesn't this just look insanely delicious? Try it with quinoa instead of bulghur, and check out the recipe over at the Food Network. [Via Angry Chicken]

Whenever I go to the newstand to indulge my magazine fetish, I long for all of the international magazines, but don't really long for the hefty price tags. ($12 for a magazine is not my thing.) That's where Jed Root comes in. Technically, the site is for photographers, stylists and make-up artists to network professionally. For the casual fashion browser such as myself, it's an amazing (and free!) photo resource of all the inspiring fashion spreads I don't usually get to see. (Until I get my Vogue Nippon subscription, that is.) This particular spread is pure summer vibe heaven. [Via Neon Polish]

Amy Stein's photography is so gripping and desolate. This particular series, stranded, consists of photos of people in limbo on the roadside. Her other series are also unbelievable, specifically the women and guns collection. Doesn't this photo have such a seriously Diane Arbus vibe? Love it.

Stockholm Fashion Week looks pretty rad. (Also, is it just me, or is looking at fashion for next spring/summer kind of bizarre? However, it's great inspiration for this season.) The ladies of Swedish line Minimarket have some killer silhouettes — so tailored, plus totally wearable. Wish I was there! [Via Refinery29]

This — well, this is just a reason to look a little closer in your day to day life. Aw. [Via Faces In Places]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Etsy Finds: Baron von Milan

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:26:00 -0000

This picture inspires me. jenniferdennispotter is able to show the world as we (hopefully!) all once saw it as children. The toy tableaus she creates are entirely convincing, and the drama between the knight errant and the stack of books is very real. There is something even a little bit quixotic about this knight attacking the aged documents, but literary allusions aside, these pictures are fantastic and stand on their own as little masterpieces.

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Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Gotta Travel On: PhotoAmerica's Roadtrip Across the U.S.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:00:00 -0000

This July 4th, whether you're grilling in Iowa or watching fireworks over Central Park, you will inevitably reflect on the nation, and of course, how the American spirit fuels the handmade lifestyle. Photographer, Mary Haggerty aka PhotoAmerica, spends her time roadtripping and then documenting the many faces of this country, from beauty queens to cowboys. Three of Mary's American Journal Photographs were selected by the curators of the Smithsonian Museums for the public art collection at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center, and she was named Best Emerging Artist by The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. Mary's work probes deep (really deep, her old Jeep had 222,000 miles on it!) into the heart of America.

My greatest fear is having a boring life.

There were some things in my life I didn’t want to miss. So, I decided to take a road trip to visit small towns, their fairs and festivals and meet some very interesting people along the way. I was determined to meet Miss Crustacean, The Button Man, and the members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. I wanted to see the world’s largest pumpkin, the Wigwam Village, and Vollis Simpson’s windmill field. I wanted to experience the World Grits Festival, the Penguin Plunge and a 450 mile tag sale. I didn’t want to miss a thing.

[Miss Crustacean by PhotoAmerica, all rights reserved]

With my camera and tape recorder packed and my bag full of rolls of black and white film, I went out on the road and collected these stories, real stories of the best of the American spirit from the heart of America.

I have been a photojournalist for many years, and I have met a lot of interesting people this way. While working on assignments from news editors, I thought to myself: “What do I find interesting? Who would I like to meet and tell stories about?” This is why I began my five year project of documenting small town America. I am fortunate that people have let me into their lives during my travels and I am happy to be able to tell their stories with black and white photographs. Their portraits and my book are the result of this wonderful American road trip.

Punsutawney, PA was a my first stop, a memorable town to visit on Groundhog Day. I was told many stories by the men in top hats, the members of the groundhog club. I even got to touch the famous Phil. I also met a couple who got married by the mayor of Punxsutawney in the town hall with their bridesmaids dressed in groundhog costumes.

When I visited Twinsburg, Ohio on a weekend in August, I was seeing double. It was Twins Days, the annual gathering for thousands of twins. I was lucky to see a twins parade and twins' talent contest. I talked to a lot of twins and found they have a very special bond. I was sad by the end of the weekend that I didn’t have a twin.

I spent a calm afternoon with Vollis Simpson, a windmill artist, in his workshop and in his field of tall whirly gigs in Lucama, NC waiting for the wind. He told me “people come by here when it’s not windy and they ask me to turn them on.” Then a storm blew in, and the wind picked up and everything started spinning and turning!

I met six charming women who were competing in a pageant for the title of Mrs. Hell Hole at the Hell Hole swamp festival. This festival in Jamestown, SC is where they celebrate their moonshine making heritage.

I met another crowned queen, Miss Crustacean, on her parade float at the Hard Crab Derby in Crisfield, MD. I spent the afternoon here watching the blue crab races.

While I stood freezing wrapped in a coat and hat, I witnessed hundreds of people running into the cold ocean on New Year’s Day at Mackerel Cove in Jamestown, RI. They call it the Penguin Plunge.

[Penguin Plunge by PhotoAmerica, all rights reserved]

I met a ten-year-old boy whose pride was growing a 900 pound pumpkin which he was showing off at the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off in Goffstown, NH.

I saw many parades, including the Baby Parade with its tiny participants, a 93 year old tradition in Ocean City, NJ.

I spent a day with Dalton Stevens, The Button Man, and he showed me his hearse he’s covered in 600,000 buttons. We talked about his insomnia, the late nights he spends in his garage with buttons and glue, and the buttoned coffin he keeps in the back of his hearse.

[The Button Man by PhotoAmerica, all rights reserved]

I stayed in the Wigwam Village Motel in Cave City, KY, a real piece of Americana from road trips past. I have also been to visit Lucy the Elephant in Margate, NJ where I climbed a staircase in her back leg up to a large room where you can look out her eyeball and see the Atlantic Ocean.

The road has a lot of great stories to tell. Oh yes, there are still many things I want to do!

It’s summertime, so get off the highway, ramble away from the city, drive to the places marked in small letters on your Rand McNally, and see what you can find.

Mary has received grants for this project from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts and the Durham Arts Council. You, too, can be a patron of the arts, by helping to sponsor Mary's next road trip, and preserve the American culture found in small towns across the nation.

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: June 19, 2008

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:19:00 -0000

After quite the productive Renegade weekend (though rain soaked in many moments), I'm glad to be back in the swing of things. This edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere indulges my summer camp fancies, eco fashion ideas, models of Parisian infrastructure and some beautifully photographed picnics.

Read on!

I recently discovered photo blog Sew Kewl. So many great photos from the past! This collection makes me think of summer camp and being on vacation. If only...

Style Bubble brought Pia Stanchina to my attention. This student at Central Saint Martin's is taking the fashion world by storm with her eco and sustainable fashions. So delicate and fairylike!

Metro Pop Magazine has a great photo spread entitled Let Them Eat Cake. Very lush and dreamy, with summer picnics and such. [Via the very inspirational Moldy Doily]

Loving these shades of brown. [Via Oh Joy!]

Stickers and Donuts did a great round up of prints at Brooklyn's Renegade Craft Fair. I love this print by sycamorestreetpress. The Smiths lyrics and the Ohio outline are a nice touch.

You have to check out these photos! The Paris Traveler reports that Gerard Brion has constructed an intricate (15 years in the making!) replica of Paris from "baby food jars, soup cans, and old cinder blocks." Eco, crazy, beautiful. [Via Craft Zine]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Fresh Shops: johnmurphy

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:34:00 -0000

I had the pleasure of meeting John Murphy at the Brooklyn Flea, a flea market that takes place every Sunday in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn, where he was selling his photography in the most colorful of frames. I immediately recognized his work, as I had been eyeing it on Etsy for weeks before our run in.

There was quite a buzz around his booth at the flea market, and when I checked out his Etsy shop later that week I was astounded to find that he had not yet had one sale.

I have set a goal for myself that once I get my apartment shaped up into a clean, organized living space rather than the messy, cluttered work studio it has become, I am going to treat myself to a colorful work of art by the very talented JohnMurphy.

I don't quite know what has gotten into me lately, but it feels strange to admit that I'm in love with his work, and it doesn't even have a moustache! Shocking!

See more Fresh Shops and say hey to a new seller!

Etsy Finds: Lomo, Holga and More

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:39:00 -0000

It seems like me and my digital camera are attached at the hip (or face) lately. In college, I loved film and amassed an amazing collection of every plastic camera I could get my hands on; I have bought over two dozen Polaroid Colorpack cameras and given them as gifts over the years, and we used my half-broken Squareshooter to take the first About Us photos. Now, it's pretty much straight from the camera and right onto Flickr, and that's that.

There's something about blistering summer afternoons that make me pine for my Instamatic 126s and Polaroids and Dianas that are still crammed in my parents' attic. Maybe it's because bright sunlight combined with a cheap lens always gave weirdly transformative and beautiful results. I went looking on Etsy for Holga and Lomography, and this is what I found:

Summer - Fine Art Photograph

Lomo lends itself very well to summer beach photography. Bright, bright sunshine and rippling water give such great results. By sfjamiejones, $30.

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Hidden, 8 x 8 print

You have to check out Unravelling's whole shop. I had a really difficult time choosing, but finally settled on this sweet and secretive landscape, $35.

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Oranges 8x8

I love the composition here. By bymegan, $25.

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Paysages de Tortaria 7.

There is something about film that catches the light in ways digital never can. By InmostLight, $20.

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cuniculus (rabbit), print of original photograph

I happen to believe the combination of selling vintage stuff and then dressing up in vintage stuff and taking fun photos of people with animal heads is just....awesome. By vintagevice, $25.

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Romance Isn't Dead

Beautiful, dusky (and romantic!) print by SaintKitten, $25.

P.S. "Saint Kitten" is the best username ever.

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Original Signed Photo Boab Tree Australia Holga/Lomo

I want to be wherever this tree is, sitting under it with a book. By artdecadence, $8.

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I'm In Love Through The Viewfinder Photo Print

This is such a neat technique; it was too hard to pass up. Plus, the image is so adorable. By ScarletBeautiful2, $8.

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Rainbow Crackhouse - Fine Art HOLGA Print

This photograph exists solely to make all of us in Brooklyn sad that our crackhouses do not look like beautiful carnivalesque toy castles. I am bummed. By stoopidgerl, $25.

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How-to Photograph Jewelry: Get the Basics with Vadjutka

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:43:00 -0000

vadjutka.etsy.com recently submitted a piece on Hungarian traditional and contemporary crafts for the Etsy World Tour series. Turns out she has worked as a professional photojournalist. She now sells her jewelry on Etsy, and so she has some crucial tips for jewelry sellers who want to take great photos of their items. Read on, sellers, for more on exposure, background, angles, and more....

I think most jewelry makers have faced this problem at least once: how to take a good photo and how to style that photo to make the most of an item. In the next few paragraphs I'll try to sum up the practices I learned as a photojournalist — which could be useful for photographing still subjects like jewelry.

1. Light: Sharp vs. Smooth Shadows
There you are, with a beautiful piece of jewelry, ready to take some photos and list it in your shop. Right before you push the button on your camera, there are a few things that might be good to consider: for example, the angle of the light coming from outside (or inside), and the shadow it casts on your item. Some may like sharp lines, others may like smooth. For those who belong to the first group, natural light it is best, and it is useful to take pictures around noon, when the sun is high. Those who prefer smooth lines should shoot in the morning or after 4 pm.

Sharp, defined shadows:
.
[Dangle earrings by fantcastle]

[Crown necklace by spicychocolate ]

Smooth, diffused shadows:

[earrings by shimmerglassjewelry]

[Mushroom ring by ctseibels]

Of course, most of us don't have time to wait for the perfect sunlight to arrive. What can we do if we only have time to shoot in the early evening, when the light is not so bright, but we don't want an underexposed grey picture as a result? We shall use the flash, but not directly — and ever so carefully! Using flash directly makes very bright white spots on the picture, because the light of the flash is not diffused to different directions. So either we can put a smaller white plastic card on the flash to diffuse light, or if it is not possible, cover the flash with a white tissue. It will result a brighter picture but without the distracting, overexposed bright spots.

2. Correcting the photometer
If your camera allows you to adjust it manually, don't be afraid to use it. At first it might seem a bit difficult, but one can learn it quite quickly. There are two main "numbers" we have to deal with: the shutter speed (the duration of time the shutter is opened) — its values are marked with 1/125, 1/60, 1/30 etc. — and the F-stop (the amount of light coming into the camera’s aperture) — its values are marked with numbers like 2,2, 2,8, 3,5, 5,6 etc.

Don't panic about having to measure these values manually, as the photometer built into the camera does it for us. Though built-in photometers react quickly — my photometer measures on nine different spots — at the end of the measuring process we get an average number. This means that if we do not correct the measurement a little bit, we might get a photo with over or underexposed spots.

If we want the darker spots to be more detailed, we have to add a bit more light: either with a lower f-stop or with a lower shutter-speed. Consequently, we do the opposite in case of overexposed spots — for example, when taking photos of a white, glittering or very bright jewelry, we add one or one-and-half to the measured values of the photometer, which means higher numbers of f-number and shutter-speed.

[measured by photometer and altered values, photo by vadjutka.etsy.com]

If we sit in a quite dark room, and all f-stops are gone (which means that the shutter is opened to its maximum size), we still have opportunities by letting in more light with an even lower shutter speed number. As far as I know, most people can make a sharp picture with the maximum value 1/30 of a second for shutter speed; below that, photos become blurred. So if the picture requires longer than that, we should use a tripod...or stabilize our hands on a sturdy object (in extreme situations it can be our knees, as well), hold back breathing, and shoot!

LINKS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-number
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shutter_speed

3. Go closer! - Making a photo essay
When I was in photography school, my teacher always asked me: “What do you want to say with these distant pictures? Go closer!” Luckily enough, we can get close quite easily when shooting jewelry, thus easily fulfilling what my teacher always wanted: one close-up picture showing details of the item, and one "big picture," showing the whole item its environment, or on a model. We should also take some photos from different angles: what does the item look like from the back, or from the sides? It is like telling a story, except in pictures and not in words.

[by yasminbochi]

[by lesthings]

[by juliery]

4. Background: patterns vs. white
An important part of telling the story of your jewelry in pictures is the background of the photo. Browsing Etsy, we can find a few main types of backgrounds: plain white, solid color backgrounds, and non-white, patterned backgrounds — usually with flowers, shapes or letters. The plain white background has an advantage: it is easier to photograph, and easier to take in visually. Using white as background has one more advantage: it intensifies the light, so it can help in taking photos of a darker item. We can use a plain white sheet for photography — that is what I do, or a white box (see here for a how-to).

An example of a white box:

[photo by panyizsuzsi.etsy.com]

white backgrounds:

[fabric necklace by fabricfarrago]

[polymer pendant necklace by jkollmann]

[ring by KelbelleDesigns]

The advantage of a non-white background is that a good background adds a special meaning and an atmosphere to the jewelry, thus creating its own little world. Make sure to consider the look and feel of your shop as a whole. Ask yourself, "Does this background work with the overall branding and image I want for my work? Will my target buyers relate to it?"

non-white backgrounds:

[ring by pocketfullofpoesy]

[Cherry Drop earrings by nicoleleeartistry]

[necklace by TheHandOfFatima]

These are just some general tips. Within these constraints, the photographer can really get creative and best of all — let the jewelry shine as the center of attention.

Here's a link to other photo how-tos on the Storque. Add any of your favorite tips in the comments below!

Etsy Finds: A Little Vacation for Mom

Sat, 10 May 2008 18:00:00 -0000

In honor of Mother's Day (tomorrow!), I thought it'd be fun to ask my own Mom what she would pick if she could feature any item on Etsy. There's nothing my parents like more than travelling, so I wasn't really surprised when she chose this gorgeous photograph by Shutterstitch as her favorite thing on Etsy right now. It's completely her style, and she said right away how much it reminded her of a family vacation we took to France a few years ago.

Since sending my Mom on a much-deserved European mini-vacation this month is out of the question, this print would be a perfect way to let her know I'm thinking of her and I love her (even if she's terrible at reading French road maps). Now she can look at it, and think of our silly family adventures and dream of being somewhere more exciting and picturesque than central New Jersey. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

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Fresh Shops: markrouttphotography

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:37:00 -0000

This Fresh Shop discovery is actually for my best friend's mother. She grew up on the Jersey Shore, and was transplanted to California many moons ago. This is a fact that I often forget unless she's visiting the East Coast, or unless she's had a glass of wine or two. Then the Joisey girl within makes an appearance. There is a part of her that will always be at the Shore. And it has decided that the best way to achieve this is through various representations of lighthouses. Many of them. In every room of her house. So when I found markrouttphotography's shop, I immediately thought of her. So, Mrs. K, this one's for you.

Can you tell us a little about the people behind markrouttphotography? Who are you and what makes you tick?
My name is Mark Routt and I am a fine art photographer and artist living and working near Washington DC. I am the creator of markrouttphotography here on Etsy. I am not however the sole force behind this endeavor. Much of that credit goes to my amazing family and friends. In particular, I wish to thank my mom (sssugarbears) and fiance (christianes) for all their support and encouragement. They are the true reasons for my success. Happy Mother’s Day to you both!

I love art! I’ve loved art since I was five years old and have wanted to become an artist ever since. I love drawing, painting, and taking pictures. I am very fortunate to be making a living creating art.

What inspires you as a creative person?
Working with and viewing the work of other creative people is my greatest source of inspiration. I love going to the art museums in Washington DC and New York City. I’m inspired by the natural world, music and movies, and by great architecture. A great source of recent inspiration are the arts and crafts I find on Etsy.

How do you like Etsy so far?
I really like Etsy — ok, I love it! My family would say I’m addicted to it. I love its creative and functional design. I really appreciate the time and thoughtfulness that goes into it. I like the community it’s creating and the quality of artists it attracts. I discover new talent everyday. Thanks to Nache at creativeroute for turning me onto Etsy.

Curious about other Fresh Shops on Etsy? Check out the series!

Mother-Daughter Shops: CaptureCapeMay

Tue, 06 May 2008 19:24:00 -0000

Mothers and their daughters and/or sons can often be creative forces to reckon with: keeping it all in the family and playing off of each other's deep understanding of strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes frought, sometimes breezy, these duos bring something special to the handmade experience. CaptureCapeMay is one such team...

If you're a mom, tell us how many kids you have. Do you have a job, do you Etsy full-time, or are you at home with the kids? Do you try to "do it all"?
My mom and I run CaptureCapeMay together. I am her only child. Right at this very moment, I am 10 weeks pregnant with my first baby! My mom works full-time for the county and I am a full-time Social Worker serving the elderly community. I am not sure what I will do after I have the baby, I would like to continue working full-time but you never know. We both are "do-it-all" kind of people.

How has your mother influenced you or passed down the creative gene? Or has it, as some say, skipped a generation? Did you learn from your grandmother?
There are no genetics involved as I am adopted. I have no way of knowing genetically what was passed to me. I am able to specifically pinpoint the basic principles of both art and science that I learned as a child due to activities with my mom. Together we enjoyed making candles, creating "rainbow ice" with salt and food coloring, mixing our own play-dough, using glue to curl shoe laces, making underwater volcanoes in a cylinder bowl and forming sentences with flash cards we made ourselves. I was always very much nurtured in the most scientific arts and the most creative sciences and had a lot of fun.

Is there anything particularly difficult or great about working with your Mother?
Unfortunately, I am not in Cape May full-time like my mom is. I moved to Pennsylvania (about 1.5 hours from Cape May) when I got married almost two years ago.

I still go down on weekends and in the summer. The great thing about working with my mom is, she is a very good photographer and I can leave custom orders safely in her hands.

[The duo will write something about your mom in the sand and capture it for you. Perfect for mom's who are hard to shop for!]
She (and my dad, too) also funded getting the really nice cameras for the business. I run the Etsy store, the website and all forms of online communication and marketing. I'm more internet savvy than she is and enjoy computers, so it works out well. There isn't really anything difficult, we work well together.

Next year will be Amanda's first Mother's Day. She says she's looking forward to "anything in DesignsbyAutumn's or Savor's Etsy stores." Please let us know if you're a Mother/Daughter-Son duo in the comments below or in this forum thread!

Etsy Finds: Through the Viewfinder

Mon, 05 May 2008 16:41:00 -0000

Some days, the only thing that can get you out of bed in the morning is the image of a monkey on a bicycle. That's how I came across JameSSpicer's gorgeous photography. He uses a technique called "Through the Viewfinder" (TTV, to those in the know!), capturing his images with one camera looking through the optical viewfinder of a second camera. The effect is sometimes beautiful, and frequently eerie or surreal.

You can see more photos created this way on Flickr, or learn how to take your own. Thanks, James, for motivating me to get out of bed and dig up a second camera!

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Etsy Finds: Tourister

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:18:00 -0000

It's getting to be that time of year, when your thoughts turn from the Excel spreadsheet in front of you to furtively checking the flight prices on Kayak.com. The sun is out and your brain is in Playa del Carmen, laying on the beach and downing mind-erasing cocktails all day long. I'm sorry, friend, that it is in fact Monday morning, and you are miserably still in front of your computer. Happily, there is only one known cure for one's demoralizing daily grind: shopping and lots of it. Preferably sweet handmade stuffs from Etsy.

If you can't be a tourist this week, at least you can fake it with one of these faux camera necklaces:

Sleuth Camera Necklace

Camera pendant by my favorite shrink plastic artist on Etsy. From paraphernalia, $30.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Large Camera Necklace

Simple brass camera charm on an antiquated chain. By muchlove, $15.50.

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It's A lovely Bling Camera Necklace... Smile...

Camera necklace with extra, erm, flash. By PrincipessaTwinz, $32.

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Twin Lens Reflex Camera Photographic Pendant

I have an old twin-lens Yashica that I adore, so the old-school camera in this pendant is really speaking to me. By dandytree, $12.50.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Smile - Antique Necklace

Or go even more old-school with this necklace made from an antique camera lens. By Crozza, $250.

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Photo shoot wooden art pendant

Charming little painting on wood of a camera and two tiny hearts. By ashtonsart, $14.

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Camera Ring

Camera ring by thelovelyteaspoon for an unreal $4.

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Choose Your Own Kitsch Mini Toy Camera Necklace

Plastic toy camera necklace — the camera features a slideshow of 8 images, which are apparently a mystery surprise to the buyer. Which is awesome. By sciostarbug for the even more unreal price of $5.

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Gold Film Canister Necklace

In this digital age, the poor analog film roll deserves the iconic status granted by this pendant By exousia, $10.50.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

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Etsy Pets in Vogue: Getting The Right Shot

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:41:00 -0000

It's pet week here at the Storque! Keep tabs on the Etsy Pets featured column for all the cute pet stuff you can handle. Sellers, here are some expert tips for pooch and other pet modeling...

With pet fashion and creature comforts more popular than ever, many of us are using our own furry friends to model and showcase our pet goods. Here on Etsy, stellar product photography and presentation are essential to creating interest and making sales, and our pet model shots should be no exception.

Here are some tips to help you get the most of your pet’s time in front of the lens.

Treats are vital! We all know the benefit of food motivation, and our pets are no exception. Good eats are a major key to getting, and holding, their attention. “Offer lots of praise and tasty snacks,” says anniessweatshop of working with their wiener dogs, Porter and Stout. “My pups get Cheerios for every ‘money shot.’ Eventually your pet will associate photo shoots with snack time and they’ll eagerly pose.”

No flash, please. Paparazzi shots sell tabloids, but not the latest in Purr Purr toys or Poochie Ponchos. RedBerryCrochet shared that when photographing her cat, B.C., “Flash photos are too harsh and I don’t like the reflections in the eyes.” Natural lighting is the best choice as it allows you to photograph the true color of your pet and product. Plus, you avoid the dreaded red eye syndrome. And as anniessweatshop says, “Evil eyes aren’t cute.”

Don’t stress, go with the flow. If you’ve got a RuPaws or Kitty Krawford to work with, you know how stressful their diva ways can be, but there’s no reason for you to have a meltdown. “You have to be really patient when you are trying to capture your pet in a photograph, especially when you are an amateur photographer. I will snap a ton of pictures in one bed or crate cover session and I’m bound to get a couple good shots from that moment,” remarks BowWowBeds on shooting her Great Dane, Darth Vader. For those who are trying to get shots of their feline models, RedBerryCrochet offers this advice: “For indoor shots, I also use a tripod and a camera timer. Using the timer gives me a few seconds to attract their attention by snapping my fingers or waving a toy above the camera.”

Don’t fear editing tools. We all know magazine models are airbrushed to perfection, and there’s no reason why your photos can’t be just as "clean." Without altering the appearance of your product, you can create a stand out image by whiting out the background or cloning out that unsightly eye booger. Dogties uses natural settings, solid color carpet or a white poster board as backgrounds when taking photos of Casey, Otis and Lilly. “They photoshop really well,” she says. If you’re not a photo-editing aficionado, don’t freak. You can find tons of info on the net and in books for beginners as well as those into more advanced techniques.

If you enjoy yourself, your pet will, too. It’s a fact that our pets pick up on our moods and can even manifest our anxieties, so if you’re pulling your hair out and grinding your teeth, don’t expect Rover to cooperate. A relaxed and calm atmosphere will go a long way in getting you the best photos and teaching Miss Meow that the camera is a good thing. designsbyone suggested that we “try to work with things that motivate our pets: a favorite toy, food, verbal praise, anything that will make it fun for them as well.” Cheese and fashion are great motivators for their supermodel, Velma Kelly, a rescued Chihuahua Dachshund mix.

Now that you’re armed with some great advice grab your camera, a product, a pet, and work it like Tyra!

Further Resources
The following links will help you to learn even more about great pet and product photography. Also, check out the Storque's photo tips!

Digital-photography-school.com
Photographing Pets for Dummies
Picnik.com
Airbrush Away Photo Mistakes with cnet
Digital Photo Basics with cnet
Lighting Tips with cnet

cbarjcrafts is a self-taught artist of sorts who enjoys playing in clay and creating animal figurines. She lives in the lovely state of North Carolina with her flock of chickens and ducks, three dogs and a ferret. When she's not creating inventory for her shop, working on her blog (christys-critters.blogspot.com), or working on all the other stuff that goes along with running a business, you’ll probably find her out hiking around with the camera or kung fu fighting with her rooster, who fancies himself the next Chuck Norris.

Handmade Wedding Series: Inside Tips from Wedding Photographer MagicIsland

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:14:00 -0000

MagicIsland makes a living as a wedding photographer in North Carolina. She shares some tips with the Handmade Wedding Series on how to find the right photographer for your nuptials.

Can you introduce yourself and tell me about your experiences as a photographer?
My names Mary Haggerty, I have a photography shop on Ocracoke Island in North Carolina called Ocracoke Photo (and two shops here on Etsy: MagicIsland and Photo America). I have worked as a photojournalist for more than 14 years and have been a freelance photographer for The New York Times. I have also been a portrait, wedding and Fine Art Photographer. I have had my photographs exhibited in galleries and museums. So, I have a good deal of background as a photographer. My wedding photography reflects my background as a wedding / portrait photographer, fine artist, and photojournalist.

Many artists and crafters have friends who take cool photos. I imagine they could do a pretty good job snapping some great shots. But I wonder if they would be able to cover all the angles? Why not have a friend who likes to photograph be your photographer? Why hire a professional?
The most important thing to consider if you want to guarantee that your photos will be wonderful is to hire a professional. Hire someone with experience. I can’t stress this enough. Consider photography first. It’s what you will have to keep (besides your spouse) after the wedding is over. It’s what will be sitting on your mantle and bookshelf and in your album for the rest of your life. Photographs are the treasures you’ll share with your friends and relatives and maybe your children. It’s a record of your love.

Asking a friend to photograph your wedding can be very tricky. There's a lot of pressure involved in photographing a wedding. Your friend and designated photographer won't get to enjoy themselves as a guest. So, what you might want to do is ask a friend who knows how to take photographs to take pictures for an hour or so before the wedding or during the ceremony and a few after of the bride and groom and some family, but not all day. If it's a local wedding and off season, sometimes I'll go out for and hour or two for a bride. You might find a professional willing to do that.

What do you need to know about printing, albums, and negatives/digital files?
Have in mind what you’d like as a finished product. There are all styles of wedding albums and this truly depends on your personal style and how creative you are.

I think most photographers now use digital cameras. I wouldn't say digital is better than negatives, just easier. So if your photographer shoots film, that’s fine; labs usually transfer file onto CDs too. A lot of my weddings are destination weddings so my couples are in town for a week or so. Because I shoot digital, this way they can select their photos the next day in my shop, I print in house and they have all their photos to take home along with their album. There are also many options for having a traditional book professionally bound: this is very expensive and takes 8 weeks to get your book finished. Ask your photographer what products and services they offer. They may offer things like in house printing, canvas prints and custom framing.

I've been working with Etsy seller decklededgebindery on some handmade albums.

What are the price ranges?
This is hard to say, price ranges are so different from place to place and also determined by the experience of the photographer. I think you could get a photographer for $500... or $30,000. My wedding packages start at $1,250 and that includes an album.

What are the different styles? Seems like there's photojournalistic style and then on the other hand, traditional wedding photographer style?
Photojournalist style is very popular. A lot of my brides come to me knowing my background as a photojournalist, they almost always tell me that's what they want, until I remind them they may also want some posed family photos, and yes, they usually do want a few of these also. I would say a mix of traditional and photojournalist styles work well together.
Make sure you like the photographer's style and that it fits your personal taste. Take a good look at their photographs.

What should you look for in a black and white photo, say? vs color? Any tips?
I shoot all my weddings in digital color files. Any digital files can be made into black and white prints. I really like the look of classic Black and White. Usually my couples use a mixture of color and black and white in their albums.

In what situation would you need an assistant?
I don't use an assistant but if you're having a wedding with over 200 guest or a big affair you might want to find a photographer with an assistant.

What's the deal with getting a photographer if you're doing a destination wedding?
Most of my weddings on the Island are destination weddings. Hiring a local provider is a good choice. You could look online or call the local Chamber of Commerce or check the county website; they all have wedding provider information. If you know any locals ask them for referrals. It's best to go visit your destination spot and make appointments to meet with all the wedding providers you're interested in. I also supply couples with local information on music and food, flowers, and lodging provider suggestions if they ask! If you find a band or florist you get along with, ask them what photographer they would recommend. If you can't visit and you find a photographer online you'd like to hire, you can ask them for phone numbers of couples whose weddings they've done and that would talk with you. This is very helpful. Alternatively, you could also hire a wedding planner.

One more note about destination weddings: you'll also want to find out about wedding license requirements and also things like getting permits you might need. If your wedding is here at the beach or at our historic lighthouse you need to get a permit from the National Park Service. So, ask about these things too!

Where is a good place to start looking for photographer in one's area? Are there websites or organizations you can recommend?
If you're looking for photographers in your own area, asking friends for referrals is a good idea; ask if you can see their wedding albums.

I suggest a face to face meeting with potential photographers. Do you feel comfortable with them? Most people aren’t used to being in front of a camera for a whole day. So, it’s best to find a photographer that you feel at ease with, your photos will look more natural. I think that's very important. If you can't meet with them a phone call is good and if you need more information, ask for referrals and phone numbers from couples who have hired this photographer. They can tell you not only how good their photos are but also what it was like to work with the photographer.

Further Resources:
Ocracoke Photo: www.OcracokePhoto.com
Ocracoke Island’s website: www.Ocracokevillage.com
Pirate ship wedding cruise: www.schoonerwindfall.com
Outer Banks wedding guide: www.outerbanksweddingguide.com

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Etsy Finds: Slide Lamps

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:33:00 -0000

This isn't your typical booooring slide show! This lamp is full of summertime memories, to brighten your mood as well as your space. Phoebe1 has saved these little gems from the trash and turned them into fabulous home accessories, giving them new life. This beauty would make any Ikea lamp feel inadequate.

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Etsy Community Projects: PhotoLab Project

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:09:00 -0000

The Etsy Community is constantly dreaming up new ideas. Some of these ideas are for improvements on the site, some are inspiration for getting out of a creative slump and some are just plain fun ideas for projects to work on with or get to know other members of the Etsy Community.

This is a series spotlighting Etsy Community Projects initiated and run by the Etsy Community. Many of these projects originate in the forums and some happen completely there. Some involve mailing packages to other Etsy members, some involve posting on other sites, like Flickr. All are fun ways to interact with other members of Etsy, be it for a short period of time or on a regular basis.

The PhotoLab Project hopes to remind us of the magic of real film while connecting Etsy community members. Etsy members are asked to list a film photo diary (an exposed but undeveloped roll of film they shot through the course of one day) in their shops to trade or sell. They should be tagged ‘photolabproject’ so that they are easy to find. Here's a little more information from smashing — who initiated the PhotoLab Project — on its inception and some tips on participating.

What inspired you to start the project?
My sister in law took my nephew and my daughter on a walk and gave them each a disposable camera. They were 3 and 2 1/2 years old. I wasn't sure what would come out. In fact, I wasn't sure any pictures would appear at all. I was wrong! The pictures were great. Simply being shot from their point of view (which is only a couple of feet lower than mine) gave me such a glimpse of their world. In the pictures, adults looked like enormous giants with tiny heads and huge feet, the sidewalk looked like a parking lot. Houses and trees seemed bigger and farther away at the same time. I was amazed. They were just pictures of a neighborhood but it changed the way I thought about their tiny lives.

This made me think: what could I learn from other people's random camera shots? I got the idea to offer exposed undeveloped rolls of film for sale on Etsy. In my item listing I welcome other people to post their exposed film, too.

Has there been a good level of participation so far?
I've sent out five to other Etsians, there were a couple of sellers who sent out one or two and I've also gotten a few emails from people who were inspired to trade film diaries with friends and start other photo projects.

Do you have any tips or advice for people who wish to participate?
When I started this I was curious about what I'd learn about other people, but you end up learning a lot about yourself. It's a fun little exercise. Lots of FAQ's are answered at the PhotoLab Project's blog.

For more coverage of Etsy Community Projects, check out our continuing series. For more tips and tricks of successful blogs, check out the Blogging Guide!

Are you organizing a project within the Etsy community, outside of an Etsy Team? Tell us about it in the comments!